Welcome to the Walton County Sheriff's Office Website

"We have been recognized as a leader in law enforcement innovation and have received state accreditation. The men and women of your sheriff's office have demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and a commitment to service to the citizens and visitors of this county. It is an honor and privilege to serve with them." ~ Sheriff Mike Adkinson

A conversation with a store clerk has led to the arrest of a burglary suspect. On the eve of February 6th or early morning hours of February 7th, 2015, patrol deputies responded to a car burglary involving a stolen iPod Touch, a Garmin GPS and two pairs of sunglasses. The incident took place outside a home on Tradwinds Drive in Santa Rosa Beach. In a separate incident, the breaking of a car window was reported to the Sheriff’s Office by the homeowners who lived next door. A deputy who was conducting a neighborhood canvass stopped at the Exon Gas Station located off 30A West and Highway 98 and spoke with the store clerk to see if they were aware of any suspicious activity. During the conversation, the store clerk mentioned that an individual was in the store be ...

In October 2014, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office underwent an extensive independent inspection by an assessment team selected by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA). The assessment team reviewed all Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures which included written documentation, personnel interviews, agency operations, and facility inspections to ensure compliance with the Florida state accreditation standards. On February 25th, 2015, the Commission (CFA) met in Daytona Beach to review those Florida criminal justice agencies eligible for initial accreditation and reaccreditation status. During the panel review prior to the Commission meeting, the Assessment Team Leader, Grant Scott, reported that the Walton County Sheriff’s Office was in 100% c ...

Last night (Saturday), several 911 hang up calls were received by Sheriff’s Office Dispatch. During the 911 calls, the victim was able to relay to dispatchers that she was a passenger in a car and that the driver, Michael Huber, was refusing to let her out of the vehicle. Dispatch was able to ping the 911 hang up calls on multiple locations along Highway 98 heading east bound. The last ping was in the area of Highway 98 and 395. Deputies in the area observed a vehicle turn into a business complex off Watersound Parkway. The vehicle, along with Huber and the victim, were located in a parking lot behind a business.
The victim was unharmed during the incident and taken home by law enforcement. The suspect, Michael Hub ...

Walton County Sheriff’s Office Investigators arrested Billie Ray Thompson, 41, of 898 Chesser Road, DeFuniak Springs, for armed burglary and shooting into an occupied dwelling early this morning (Sunday). Per victim and witness statement’s, Thompson, forcefully opened a locked door to a camper located at 108 McCewen Street, Bruce, FL. The two victims inside the camper called 911 and told Thompson to leave. Thompson exited the porch of the camper and discharged nine rounds from his .40 caliber Hi-Point pistol, which penetrated the inside and outside of the camper. The victims inside the camper were not injured when the shooting took place.
The .40 caliber Hi-Point pistol along with .40 caliber ammunition was recovered from Thompson’s residence ...

Members of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a shooting that occurred at approximately 3 am this morning. The incident took place at a trailer located in Simpler’s Fish Camp in Freeport, Florida. The caller reported that a male subject had fired several rounds into an occupied residence. Deputies quickly responded to the scene along with members of the Criminal Investigations Bureau and Crime Scene Technicians. No injuries were reported and further information will be released once available.
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During the early morning hours of Saturday, January 24, 2015, Robert William Woods, 20, of 468 Forest Shore Drive, Miramar Beach, burglarized a home and vehicle off Bayshore Drive in Miramar Beach. Woods first entered an unlocked vehicle and then attempted to enter the home by gaining access through the pool area by cutting the screen. As Woods attempted to open the back sliding glass door, the residential alarm sounded and he fled the area. Upon investigation, deputies and crime scene investigators discovered a blood transfer on the fence which Woods damaged. DNA was taken and a lab report was received yesterday, February 19th, matching Woods.
A second incident occurred on January 24th at a residence off Shore Drive in Miramar Beach, where Woods ...

WCSO Patrol Deputies are investigating three cases of occupied residential burglaries that have occurred in Miramar Beach and Santa Rosa Beach. In all 3 cases, the residents were home and asleep, when an individual entered their residence and took wallets, purses and other valuable items. Deputies were told by the victims that the garage doors were left open with the interior garage door unlocked. The cases have been forwarded to the criminal investigations bureau of the sheriff’s office.
The WCSO wants to inform the public of what is happening and urges everyone to be proactive and secure their personal items and LOCK their doors.
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The WCSO has received multiple complaints of a con man posing as a sheriff’s office employee in an attempt to get money. The caller states that a family member has a warrant for their arrest but in lieu of arrest, the caller requests money over the phone. Another ruse is telling potential victims they missed jury duty and they are being fined $2000.00, but if the person settles the issue that day, they will accept $500.00 transferrable electronically.
At no time will the sheriff’s office ever solicit money and wants to remind citizen’s to not give out any personal information over the phone. Anyone who has fallen victim to the bogus caller is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 850.892.8111. ...

The WCSO has received reports of an individual impersonating himself as a Walton County Sheriff’s Office Deputy. The victims stated that the caller had an arrest warrant for a family member and identified himself as “Deputy Arrowwood.” The case is under investigation.
The Sheriff’s Office wants to remind citizens to not give out any personal information over the phone. If anyone has concerns or had been contacted by this individual, please contact the Walton County Sheriff’s Office at 850.892.8111.
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Thank you Smart Bank for showing your love for the Walton County Sheriffs Office staff. Your kindness and generosity is appreciated. The lunch prepared and cooked by your team was amazing. It's nice to know we are appreciated!! And Thank You to the other businesses who contributed to make the lunch perfect. ...

Citizen Volunteer Unit

The Citizen Volunteer Unit focuses on individuals who wish to bring their talents and expertise wherever the WCSO finds a need. Some of the positions include administrative tasks, Neighborhood Watch and other duties. The Citizen Volunteer Unit provided 5,689.31 hours of assistance in 2013 with approximately 38 volunteers.

The Walton County Sheriff's Office Posse started in 2010 with ten members and has now grown to twenty-four. The Posse Unit helps augment activities from within the Sheriff's Office and gives citizens an opportunity to get involved with their community. They provide assistance to patrol, emergency services and community events. Its purpose is to save taxpayer money while providing sworn law enforcement officers with more time to respond and focus on violent criminals and complex criminal investigations.

Citizen Posse volunteers patrol the entire Walton County area and are equipped with retired patrol vehicles. The volunteers assist in funeral processions, festivals, fairs, neighborhood patrols and other events that typically require a deputy's presence. The Citizen Posse Unit's greatest contribution is assisting disabled motorists. Volunteers are able to provide someone who was involved in an accident with a ride home. The Citizen Posse are not sworn law enforcement officers and do not possess arrest powers.

In November, 2013, the WCSO Posses received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. In 2003, President George W. Bush worked with Congress to initiate the "Presidential Volunteer Service Award." The award was for both individuals and groups who dedicated their time for the betterment of their community. The WCSO Posse was nominated for the award and received a gold medal for reaching over 4000 volunteer hours in 2013. The WCSO Posse is the first "sheriff's group" presented the distinction in the State of Florida. The award is presented to groups in the following category: Health, Youth, Parks and Emergency. The WCSO Posse received the award in the "Emergency" category.

Citizen Volunteers and Posse members are required to serve a minimum of sixteen (16) hours per month. Applicants must pass a criminal history investigation and interview. Uniforms and necessary equipment will be provided by the WCSO.

Applications are available ONLINE as well as at the following locations:

Charities We Support

What Our Community is Saying

I am grateful for the young lives that our sheriffs department have probably saved. Thanks for keeping your citizens and your spring breakers safe. Making a clear statement that underage drinking will not be tolerated prevents an untold number of crimes and injuries from happening. Y'all do an excellent job!

Phone Numbers

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Workplace. If you need an accommodation because of a disability in order to participate in the application and selection process, please notify Human Resources in advance. Preference shall be given to certain veterans and spouses of veterans as provided by Chapter 295, Florida Statutes. Applicants claiming preference must submit a Form DD-214.